Love-Lies-Bleeding

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Love-Lies-Bleeding, Don DeLillo's third play, is a daring, profoundly compassionate story about life, death, art and human connection.

Three people gather to determine the fate of the man who sits in a straight-backed chair saying nothing. He is Alex Macklin, who gave up easel painting to do land art in the southwestern desert, and he is seventy now, helpless in the wake of a second stroke. The people around him are the bearers of a complicated love, his son, his young wife, the older woman—his wife of years past—who feels the emotional tenacity of a love long-ended.

It is their question to answer. When does life end, and when should it end? In this remote setting, without seeking medical or legal guidance, they move unsteadily toward last things.

Luminous, spare, unnervingly comic and always deeply moving, Love-Lies-Bleeding explores a number of perilous questions about the value of life and how we measure it.

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,2002

About the author

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Donald Richard DeLillo is an American novelist, short story writer, playwright, screenwriter and essayist. His works have covered subjects as diverse as television, nuclear war, the complexities of language, art, the advent of the Digital Age, mathematics, politics, economics, and sports.
DeLillo was already a well-regarded cult writer in 1985, when the publication of White Noise brought him widespread recognition and the National Book Award for fiction. He followed this in 1988 with Libra, a novel about the Kennedy assassination. DeLillo won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Mao II, about terrorism and the media's scrutiny of writers' private lives, and the William Dean Howells Medal for Underworld, a historical novel that ranges in time from the dawn of the Cold War to the birth of the Internet. He was awarded the 1999 Jerusalem Prize, the 2010 PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction in 2010, and the 2013 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.
DeLillo has described his themes as "living in dangerous times" and "the inner life of the culture." In a 2005 interview, he said that writers "must oppose systems. It's important to write against power, corporations, the state, and the whole system of consumption and of debilitating entertainments... I think writers, by nature, must oppose things, oppose whatever power tries to impose on us."

Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 42 votes)
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42 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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Don DeLillo, despite his many strengths as a novelist, unfortunately, doesn't shine as a playwright. The characters in his plays seem to be constantly engaged in a sort of circular dialogue, talking at and around each other rather than having meaningful, direct conversations.


Moreover, the setting of this particular play feels like a tired rehash of a concept that DeLillo appears to be somewhat fixated on in the latter part of his career. We see people confined to an isolated room in the American west, discussing the topic of death. The entire play gives the impression of a lethargic exploration of the issue of euthanasia.


It would be advisable for audiences to stick with DeLillo's novels, as there is very little of real quality to be found in his plays. His novels offer a much more engaging and profound exploration of the human condition and the complex issues of our time.

July 15,2025
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BORING! What is this crap?

Not one of these characters is interesting or likable. And none of these characters seem to care about any of the other characters. Hey, guess what? Neither do I.

And who talks like this? It was all circuitous fragmented nonsense. A full length play and not one real conversation between anybody. I don't know how these people can talk so much while saying nothing at all. What was the goal of this play? How to take bad poetry and make it into a play?

There is also nothing that drives this play forward. No burning questions that need to be answered. No conflict or arguments. Anybody reading this already knows how it ends. So what are the burning questions that keep readers reading in order to find out the answers? None apparently. You could skip 20 pages anywhere in this book and not miss anything important.

This play seems to be trying so hard to be interesting and deep but falls flat on its face and actually does the opposite. We're just supposed to trip over ourselves fawning over the guy because what, we're told he was supposedly some kind of big-time interesting artist? I didn't see it. Because it was not demonstrated. If you can't show this with any dialogue then I'll tell you what the "protagonist/hero" character at the center of this story actually comes across as - boring, uninteresting, douchebag. Wow, an artist that had more than one wife over his lifetime, huh, how interesting and unusual. And his abandoned son hated him? So clever. And they all are at his bedside trying to determine how to humanely end his life sooner. Gee, interesting. Was not impressed by this guy at all, so how can I be sad or moved even a tiny bit by his paralysis or dying.

How do you write a story about the most dramatic event in life - death, that yet has no drama in it at all. So what else is there that we can get out of this story? Do any characters grow and change throughout the story - nope. Do we identify or have empathy with any of them - nope. Is there anything inspiring to take from this story - nope. Will I completely forget about this play a couple days from now - yep.

Maybe great actors and sets could bring more life to this play. I don't know. Doubtful.

Death can be a great subject when handled appropriately. I actually really like a good somber deep story about loss as much as the next guy... if I actually care about any of the characters. I'm sure there are a lot of great stories about death out there. This wasn't one of them.
July 15,2025
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I have a really exciting plan.

I'm gonna do a one man play of this. It's going to be an amazing experience.

I will put all my efforts into this performance, bringing the story to life in a unique and captivating way.

And the best part is, I'm going to invite all my friends to come and watch.

I can't wait to share this moment with them and see their reactions.

It's going to be a memorable event for sure.

I'll spend a lot of time rehearsing and perfecting every detail of the play.

I believe it will be a great success and a wonderful opportunity for me to showcase my talent.

So, get ready, my friends, because this one man play is going to be something special!
July 15,2025
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A short play that delves into the profound struggles of what it truly means to have lived a good life. It's a quick read, yet it packs a powerful message within its concise pages. However, I must admit that I don't consider myself to be a die-hard play-reading enthusiast.

Nonetheless, I did find the experience of reading this play to be somewhat enjoyable. There were certain aspects that intrigued me and made me reflect on the concept of a good life. The characters' dilemmas and their attempts to navigate through life's challenges were relatable to a certain extent.

Despite this, I can't say that I completely loved the play. Maybe it's because my personal interests lie more in other genres. But overall, it was a worthwhile read that offered some food for thought.

I'm glad I gave it a chance, and it has perhaps opened my eyes a little more to the world of plays and the different perspectives they can offer.
July 15,2025
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As with all plays, I have a great passion for the dynamics of the conversation.

Good playwrights possess the remarkable ability to create a vivid stage without the need for a crew to construct a high-tech backdrop. Their words alone can paint a picture that transports the audience into the heart of the story.

DeLillo, in this particular work, delves deep into exploring four distinct views on what gives life meaning through the poignant conversations with and around a dying father and husband. The central concept of the withdrawal of care adds an extra layer of complexity and emotional depth to the narrative.

At first, I found the characters who most closely reflected my own views to be more circumscribed. However, as I delved further into the play, I came to realize that it was my own bias that was coloring my perception of the others. This realization added a new dimension to my understanding of the play and its characters.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and would highly recommend it to others. Nevertheless, I must admit that DeLillo does not quite possess the same level of power as some other playwrights such as Shaw or Panych. These latter playwrights seem to have an innate instinct for choosing just the right word, which gives their works an extra sparkle and impact.

July 15,2025
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Love-Lies-Bleeding (2005)

I thought a topic of this kind would touch me more. However, the homely style of euthanasia has rather offended me a little.

The movie "Love-Lies-Bleeding" seems to present a complex and perhaps controversial subject matter. While I initially expected to be deeply moved by it, the way in which the concept of euthanasia was portrayed in a somewhat domestic or ordinary style didn't quite sit well with me.

Maybe I was anticipating a more profound and intense exploration of the topic, something that would really make me reflect on the moral and ethical implications. But instead, the homely style gave it a different tone, one that I found a bit jarring.

Nevertheless, I still think there could be value in further examining the movie and trying to understand the director's intentions behind this particular stylistic choice. It might offer a unique perspective on a difficult and often-debated issue.
July 15,2025
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**Title: 1st Edition, Signed by Author**

This is a truly remarkable item - the 1st edition of a book, signed by the author himself.

Owning such a copy is like having a direct connection to the creative mind behind the work.

The signature adds a personal touch and a sense of authenticity that makes this edition even more special.

It's not just a book; it's a piece of literary history.

The author's autograph is a valuable addition, making it a sought-after collector's item.

Whether you're a passionate reader or a dedicated collector, this 1st edition signed by the author is sure to be a prized possession.

It holds the potential to appreciate in value over time and can be a great investment.

Moreover, it allows you to cherish the author's work in a unique and meaningful way.

Every time you pick up this book, you'll be reminded of the author's presence and the moment when they put their signature on it.

It's a one-of-a-kind item that brings the world of literature to life in a whole new way.
July 15,2025
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This was my introduction to DeLillo - a short, deceptively simple play.

It contains some of the most human, nuanced dialogue I've ever read. The way the characters interact and express their thoughts and emotions is truly remarkable.

Despite its brevity, the play manages to cover a wide range of themes and ideas. The depth and complexity within these few pages are astonishing.

I was completely captivated by the story and the characters. It left a lasting impression on me, and I know for sure that I'll revisit this play again.

DeLillo's writing style is unique and engaging, and I'm eager to explore more of his works. This play has opened my eyes to the power and beauty of his writing, and I can't wait to see what else he has in store.

I highly recommend this play to anyone who appreciates great literature and thought-provoking dialogue. It's a must-read for fans of DeLillo and for those who are looking for something new and exciting to read.

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